Internally Displaced Persons in Mundri-East County. (-)

Weeks after abandoning their homes due to a farmers-cattle herders conflict, about a hundred households in Mundri East County of Western Equatoria State say they fear returning to their homes.

According to Mundri East Commissioner Margret Fozia, the displacement first occurred on December 26^th, when armed men attacked a wedding ceremony in the area.

The following day, local residents woke up to the second attack on Lakamadi police station.

Local authorities said the incidents were reprisal attacks triggered by the killing of two Tali herders in the area a week before.

Meanwhile, fear of further violence forced dozens of households to flee their homes and shelter in churches, schools and hospitals.

Charity Jeremiah is a mother to 8 children, who spoke to Eye Radio on Friday morning, from Lakamadi Payam where she is seeking refuge.

She said they could not return home despite the many difficulties they face at the public facilities.

“We cannot return. Fear has taken hold of us, and we are no longer able to return to our homes. We are currently seeking refuge in hospitals, schools, markets, and churches, and there is no food. We steal some corn to eat,” she told Eye Radio.

Another displaced also said he has been unable to return home with his family due to the situation.

“How can we return to our homes? These problems broke out with our neighbors, and we, as citizens, have our children with us.”

“We will not be able to return. We have no knowledge of how the problems began. We just ran away in search of safety, and there is nothing to eat here except corn.”

Another civilian said: “We will not go back because we are afraid. We do not know the truth of the matter yet. We will wait until the government solves the problem, so we are afraid for our lives.”

On her part, Commissioner Fozia said she is in contact with the leaders of neighboring communities involved in the conflict to convene a peace dialogue.

“We in the two communities must sit down and work for peace in the region, and I made contacts with the other side to discuss the issue and restore calm to the region and the residents to their homes.”